Carrefour shopping center is one area looking to redevelop as a part of Germantown's Smart Growth plan. The development cannot continue under the city's current moratorium.(Photo11: Abigail Warren/The Commercial Appeal)Buy Photo

The plan is given T5 and T6 urban zoning, according to Germantown's Smart Growth rezoning given to the Western Gateway in 2014. T6 allows 10-story buildings, and Carrefour will be the first use of T6 zoning in Germantown, according to Cameron Ross, economic and community development director.

The outline plan shows three phases. The first phase is on the northeast corner of the property, where Macaroni Grill stood until it burned in 2015.

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Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurant stood in the northeast corner of the property until it burned in 2015. Developers begin phase one on that corner of the property.(Photo11: Abigail Warren/The Commercial Appeal)

Phase one includes office, dining spaces and retail. Phase two is behind the one-story stores that face Poplar on the west side of the property. It will include hotel and retail. The one-story shops, such as Swanky's Taco Shop and Petra Cafe along Poplar Avenue, will stay one story, but the exterior will change.

Phase three on the south side of the property will include office, hotel and a parking garage. There will be more than 1,400 parking spaces in the development — 1,275 will be in garages.

"Carrefour at the Gateway is a proven retail site," Cannon said of the location near Memphis and Germantown and surrounded by offices.

The developers requested a warrant for more than 15,000 feet of green and civic space. Cannon said this can be used for concerts, ice skating, movie nights and seasonal events. Some of the roofs have turf area. The warrant was approved Tuesday.

The outline plan also calls for two traffic signals — one on Poplar and one on Kirby Road. Citizens spoke against the Kirby traffic signal.

"I think the project looks lovely, except for one thing," resident Elaine Lurie said. "I cannot believe someone would like to put a traffic light on the strip on Kirby Parkway between Poplar Pike and Poplar Avenue. It's one block long ... you are going to have the most horrendous traffic jam. That street is not long enough to have a traffic light."

"(Traffic) is gonna be a nightmare," resident Justin Terry said of the proposed traffic signal.

Commission members praised the project.

"I have high expectations for this," Sherrie Hicks said. "This should be extremely unique for the region. I think that's what you're shooting for ... I know that may not end up what it is, but I like the creativity that you're showing."

Rick Bennett said he was "excited about the project" and hoped the developers would stick closely to the proposed plans.

"If we're not growing, we're dying," Alderman Forrest Owens said. "This to me is just an outline plan but the concept of what you presented tonight, I think that it fits the vision of the Western Gateway and is something very special."